Sleepwalker

Sleepwalkers

Ace watched with cold gray eyes as his "father" flitted around the lab. After spending his first few hours of life performing a variety of tests, the android was feeling a bit put out. He had a mission to complete, a single reason for his existence. He knew how his body worked and that everything was fine, yet he couldn't help but appease the spastic scientist before him.

At first, he wondered why he felt the need to placate the man, but it didn't take long to realize the reason. Because every time Tom looked at the worn family portrait propped up beside the main screen, he looked like he could reach in and grab the dark-haired boy smiling back at him, and Ace understood why he was made. All tools had a purpose, and his was to reunite this man with his real son. What happened after that he didn't want to think about.

"Professor," he spoke up, finally catching the man's full attention, "Am I good to go? You want this done as soon as possible, right?"

"I—" Tom paused, eyeing Ace strangely, "Yes. But I must ensure that—"

"Everything's fine," he cut him off and pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against. "Just tell me what to do."

A beat of silence passed before Tom finally sighed. He leaned over the large keyboard and typed, pulling up expanded headshots of five teenagers.

"They call themselves 'Sleepwalkers' because they preset their dreams to look like they're home after curfew, when in reality, they are out and about causing trouble for the Embassy."

"Cute," Ace snorted, "What kind of trouble?"

"It varies. Sometimes it's manipulating street signs to mess with the automatic supply transports, but most often they host illegal mech fights in an underground club a few blocks from."

"Mech fights? Isn't that a little more extreme for a group of renegade pranksters?"

"It encourages other people to steal official mechs and repurpose them for the fights. It's not a huge operation, but it's enough to cause the Embassy some annoyance."

Tom first pointed to a girl with reddish brown hair that fell below the picture frame. Judging by her thin-lipped scowl and intense dark eyes, Ace guessed that she was the one to keep the others on task.

"This is Amber Storm, leader and co-founder." At Ace's raised eyebrow, he pointed to the only grayed out photo of a slightly older teen boy on the screen and continued, "Her older brother and co-founder Jay Storm, was caught stealing parts for his own mech and sent into the Zones several months ago. After his bio-signature vanished, the Embassy labeled him deceased."

"So baby sister took up big bro's mantle. Got it. Anything else?"

"She is your primary contact, and her team is the best way to get into the Zones."

"I can get in just fine," Ace retorted sharply, "I don't need help."

Tom rolled his eyes at the android's obstinance. "They know the streets and back ways better than anyone. They know routes not even I have listed, which means they know more about Ring 1's layout than you do. Simply getting caught and sentenced would put you on the Embassy's radar, and subtlety is our greatest weapon, which means you can't get caught. Now, as I was saying—"

He pointed at the other girl on screen, a dainty creature with sharp features and short ebony hair.

"Cho Tanaka, only daughter of Ambassador Ren Tanaka from Ring 2."

"But that's where the main officials for the Embassy live and work. Why is she in Ring 1 with the main population?"

"She and her father are on a diplomatic endeavor on the Embassy's behalf. They are to 'negotiate' more freedoms for the main population, but everyone knows they are just here to make the Embassy look good. They aren't willing to share power, but they can't outright say that without mass rebellion."

"Then the Tanakas must have an ulterior motive," Ace reasoned, and Tom nodded.

"Yes, while they are officially here on government business, Ren is an old friend. And his daughter joined the Sleepwalkers to help them with their more ambitious endeavors. She will be helpful getting through Ring 2, so you can reach the second sector of Zones."

"And that leaves those two," Ace hummed, glancing at the two dark haired boys.

"Ah, Phoenix and Diego Garcia. Cousins. Phoenix was an Undesirable, until he was taken in by his aunt and uncle a few years ago. He and Diego are a strong tag-team, and they provide the muscle. And from my understanding, they also have the most street experience."

"I don't know about this, Professor," Ace sighed, crossing his arms with the most natural fluidity Tom had ever seen in a machine. "I get why I need them to get to the Zones, but I don't like taking them in with me, besides maybe Cho. The probability that any of them would survive isn't exactly in their favor."

"Then you make sure that probability changes," he replied sternly, "You aren't going in alone. No one survives the Zones by themselves. I've seen it too many times in history!"

Ace's hands tightened into fists. "If subtlety is our best weapon, more people will only draw more attention. But since I apparently can't go in alone, then fine! Just know that if something happens to them, it's on you. I have my mission, and babysitting a couple of rebel teens isn't one of them."

"You share a goal with them," Tom argued, though his voice lowered to a calmer tone, "They want to end the Embassy's reign, and you have to shut down Dreamworld. It would be beneficial for everyone if you could try to work together."

Ace huffed but refrained from rolling his eyes. "Fine. Where do I find these 'Sleepwalkers' anyway?"

"I believe they'll be hosting a mech fight in just a few hours. I'll send you the coordinates," he answered and typed a series of numbers on the screen. Ace's eyes flickered blue.

"Coordinates received. I'll be on my way," Ace replied curtly and made to leave the lab. He almost passed the threshold when Tom's voice stopped him.

"Ace!"

The android looked over his shoulder to meet his "father's" gaze. Tom's face was uncharacteristically soft.

"It's an old saying, but," he paused, giving the white-haired teen a sad smile. "Good luck, Ace."

Ace nodded and turned back to the door. "See ya around, Professor."

Project Sleepwalker Initiated_
.....
A/N: That's it for part 3! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Next up is the mech fights, and I'd love to hear what kind of bots you think should duke it out in the next chapter.

Don't forget to leave a vote and review to tell me what you think of the story so far! Thanks for reading!